Living in Sacramento, the capital of California, has its differences from what I expected, and there are aspects that turned out to be better than I thought.

First, let's talk about the advantages. The biggest advantage is that the cost of living is relatively low within California.

In the Bay Area, you can barely rent a small, old apartment with the same monthly income, but in Sacramento, you can get a much larger space for the same amount of money.

Buying a home is also a realistically achievable dream in Sacramento compared to the Bay Area.

For immigrant families wanting to own a home, Sacramento is still a city with opportunities.

The immigrant-friendly environment is another strength of Sacramento. California is a state that actively supports immigrant protection policies.

It supports the Sanctuary City policy and takes the most progressive stance in the nation on immigrant rights legislation like DACA.

As the state capital, Sacramento has legal support organizations for immigrants, and community support services are better established than in other cities.

Having resources available when you need legal and administrative help as an immigrant is a comforting thought.

Educational opportunities are also an attractive feature of Sacramento. The California community college system is well established in Sacramento.

Sacramento City College, American River College, Cosumnes River College, and Folsom Lake College operate under the Los Rios Community College District. Tuition is affordable, and there are pathways to transfer to UC or CSU four-year universities.

Each community college also offers ESL programs for immigrants who are not fully proficient in English.

Diversity is another advantage of Sacramento. Sacramento is a racially diverse city.

People from various backgrounds, including Hispanic, Asian, African American, and European, coexist here. It's an environment where immigrants feel less conspicuously "different."

The Asian community is large, especially the Southeast Asian community (Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian) which has strong roots in Sacramento. The Korean community is also growing.

However, there are significant downsides, such as the extreme heat during the summer. When you think of California, you expect mild weather, but Sacramento is different. Days exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit are common in July and August. Living without air conditioning is impossible, and the electricity bills can be burdensome.

There are also limitations in the community network. The Korean community in Sacramento is smaller compared to LA or the Bay Area.

Medical, legal, and business services available in Korean are limited. In the early stages of immigration, you may face both language barriers and a lack of community networks.

Overcoming this takes time and requires active participation in the community.

In summary, Sacramento is a realistic alternative for immigrants who want to live in California but are burdened by high living costs.

The growing Korean community, immigrant-friendly policies, educational opportunities, and access to natural environments are advantages.

I believe whether Sacramento is the right city for you depends on what you prioritize.